USA
Indian American Dr. Shabana Parvez receives prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award along with Jim Swann & Sue Welch. The Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands proudly celebrated its 9th anniversary with a memorable Signature Event spotlighting service, leadership, and community transformation. The celebration included a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony to honor the club’s chartering on April 16th, 2016, marking nearly a decade of impactful service and global fellowship.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow Award—one of Rotary International’s most prestigious honors. This year’s distinguished recipients included Dr. Shabana Parvez, Indian-American physician, entrepreneur, and current President of the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands, along with Jim Swann and Sue Welch, who were recognized for their outstanding contributions as Rotarians of the Year—the club’s highest internal distinction. Their Paul Harris Fellowships were generously sponsored by Past President Paul Brodie and President Nominee Becky Gerro, who each sponsor two Paul Harris Fellows annually to support and celebrate service excellence within the club.
Indian American Dr. Shabana Parvez is the first Indian origin President of the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands
Also honored were returning Paul Harris Fellows Becky Gerro, Paul Brodie, and Barbara Brodie, with Barbara receiving an additional distinction—the Blue Sapphire Pin—signifying an elevated level of contribution to The Rotary Foundation.
The evening took on global significance as Dr. Tausif Malik, Indian-American entrepreneur and founder of RiseBack—the world’s first affordable and inclusive EdTech platform—announced the official registration of RiseBack’s Global Headquarters in Arlington, Texas. In recognition of his pioneering work in democratizing access to higher education, Dr. Malik was inducted as an Honorary Rotarian.
Serving as the event’s Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross delivered an inspiring address celebrating the city’s rich diversity, rapid economic development, and rising status as “The Dream City of America.” He warmly welcomed RiseBack’s HQ, emphasizing Arlington’s commitment to innovation and education.
Another milestone highlighted during the celebration was the “Start Here, Go Anywhere” Initiative—a transformative collaboration between the Rotary Club and RiseBack. Already launched earlier this year, the initiative was showcased through a compelling video presentation by Club President Dr. Shabana Parvez, offering attendees a firsthand look at its growing impact.
As the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands embarks on its 10th year of service, the anniversary event reaffirmed its commitment to local and global impact through innovation, inclusion, and empowerment.
About the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands:
Rebuilt in 2020 by a group of passionate individuals dedicated to service, the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands is one of the most diverse in Rotary International. Members include business leaders and community advocates serving on local boards such as the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, River Legacy Foundation, and Longhorn Council. The club proudly supports initiatives including the River Legacy Foundation, Dental Health Arlington, Johns Elementary, Bowie High School, Barnett Junior High, and the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.
